The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Catskill Park. Launched in 2019, the Challenge has drawn participants from every region of New York, as well as 11 other states and Canadian Provinces. This challenge also complements Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative to promote physical and mental health by encouraging kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and the outdoors.
“The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge introduces New Yorkers and visitors to the exceptional hiking opportunities available on New York State public lands,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Each year, hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts take Governor Hochul’s advice to get offline and outside by taking the Challenge and visiting the beauty of the Catskills from the heights of one of the historical fire towers. The Challenge is helping more people appreciate and enjoy all that this region has to offer, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.”
This year, the addition of Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha fire towers celebrates community partnerships and provides an even greater challenge to take with friends and family. Participation by the two towers in Delaware County is made possible by a strong partnership between DEC, local communities, and not-for-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing public recreation, tourism, and conservation.
Mount Utsayantha Fire Tower, built in 1934 and restored in 2005, is located just outside of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Bought in 2015 for $1, the fire tower is owned and maintained by the Village of Stamford. In 1900, the tower boasted views as far away as the Berkshires. Visitors to this tower have the option of hiking or driving a one-mile seasonal gravel road to the summit.
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower was recently reconstructed atop Bramley Mountain, an effort that spanned many years and completed thanks to the diligence of committed volunteers and community members. Open since May 2025, this tower offers sweeping views of the Catskills. The four-mile trail leading to the tower was built by the Catskill Mountain Club in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower provides educational and historical information at the tower on weekends and holidays during the summer months.
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge continues to offer a unique way to encourage exploration of the region and its namesake mountains. The addition of Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha to this year's challenge will expand the program's footprint and provide more reasons for visitors to plan a Catskills getaway, complemented by one-of-a-kind experiences that can only be found in New York State."
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State, including the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve, from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks to search for signs of forest fires. This Catskills Fire Tower Challenge highlights the park’s remaining public fire towers.
The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), Upper Esopus Fire Tower (Catskills Visitor Center – Mt. Tremper), Mt. Utsayantha Fire Tower (Stamford), and Bramley Mountain Fire Tower (Delhi).
For more information about the Catskills and to experience the easiest-to-reach fire tower in the region, visit the Catskills Visitor Center on Route 28 in the heart of the Catskill Park. Situated on 60 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands, the Catskills Visitor Center offers the tower, a visitor information center, gift shop, 1.5 miles of peaceful nature trails (including ADA-accessible trails), picnic areas, a covered pavilion, wildlife viewing, Esopus Creek access, and much more. Visitors can connect with staff and find valuable information, maps, and advice about all the activities available in the 700,000-acre forest preserve. The Catskills Visitor Center is open for the winter season Friday-Monday from 9:30 a.m.to 4 p.m.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said, “These towers are cherished landmarks that offer extraordinary opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to learn about the history of the Catskills while taking in some truly breathtaking views. DEP remains proud of our recent work with our community partners in helping enable the recent restoration of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower and we hope the public enjoys using it for many years to come.”
Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tina B. Mole said, “Delaware County is pleased and honored to be a part of the NYSDEC’s Catskill Fire Tower Challenge 2026. Mount Utsayantha and Bramley Mountain are treasured places in Delaware County, representing both our natural beauty and the local history of our region. We are thrilled to be sharing these special spaces with visitors and locals alike.”
Delhi Town Supervisor Maya Boukai said, “The Town of Delhi is excited and proud to see Bramley Mountain Fire Tower join the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge in 2026. This milestone is the result of countless volunteer hours from the Friends of Bramley Mountain and strong community support dedicated to restoring and caring for this special place. We’re thankful to the DEC and everyone who helped make this happen, and we look forward to sharing Bramley Mountain with hikers and families from across the region.”
Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower said, “We are excited to welcome the Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha fire towers into the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge this year, deepening and expanding this beloved regional hiking experience. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge is a powerful way to connect people with the history, landscapes, and communities of the Catskill Park, and the Catskill Center is proud to be a partner in that work through our Catskill Fire Tower Project. Through the volunteer staffing of the region’s historic fire towers, and especially the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center, we’re able to welcome thousands of visitors each year, help them explore the Catskills safely, and inspire them to care for these mountains for the long term. At the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center and through our Catskill Stewards program, our staff and volunteers engage tens of thousands of hikers annually with trail information, safety guidance, and Leave No TraceTM education, ensuring that as more people take on the Fire Tower Challenge, the Catskills remain protected and welcoming for everyone.”
Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower’s Ann Roberti said, “The Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower are so excited to be included in the Fire Tower Challenge. We were thrilled to welcome visitors to the tower from around the Catskills, from around the country and from around the world in our first year. We know that being included in the Challenge will bring even more hikers to our corner of the Catskills, benefiting the local economy. We are looking forward to welcoming them.”
Catskill Mountain Club Executive Director Peter Manning said, “The Catskill Mountain Club is elated that two more fire towers are being included in the challenge. These towers illustrate there is much more to discover and enjoy in the region. These opportunities also reflect the dedicated partnerships that support the tourism-recreation economy.”
Village of Stamford Deputy Mayor Jim Kopp said, “The Village of Stamford is honored to now be included in the DEC program. On Mount Utsayantha is a 20-acre park with scenic trails, fire pits, a composting restroom, and the iconic Fire Tower at its summit. This is a great boost to tourism for all of Delaware County.”
To complete the challenge, participants must visit all eight fire towers in the Catskills region between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo to [email protected], or via mail. Entries must be postmarked by January 5, 2027. Full details can be found at the 2026 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge page.
All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2026 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine and a gift subscription for a second person of their choice. Again, this year, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize. Upon completion, finishers will be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win prizes after the challenge period is closed. Finishers will be entered into a grand prize drawing.
To promote responsible recreation, DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves being safe, respectful, and responsible when enjoying the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace™ while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge. Love Our New York Lands by picking up litter, carrying out what you carried in, planning and preparing for safe hikes, staying on the trail, and finding more tips available at DEC’s website.
The 2025 challenge has more than 500 finishers to date. With DEC giving participants a full year to complete the challenge, hikers can complete it at their own pace. Hikers who would like to get a jump start on the Challenge for the new year can complete their first fire tower as part of a guided First Day Hike. The New York State Outdoor Guides Association, Catskills Visitor Center, and Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower will be leading hikes up Red Hill Fire Tower, Upper Esopus Fire Tower, and Bramley Mountain on January 1, 2026.
Stewardship of the DEC fire towers is a partnership with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. The Catskill Center, through the Catskill Fire Tower Project, manages six fire towers in the Catskill Park for public access and interpretation under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with DEC. Dedicated volunteers help maintain and staff each of the fire towers on weekends and holidays throughout the summer and fall seasons.
